Educational Psychology Support in Inverness and the Highlands

At Oakwood Mind & Body, our Educational Psychology service offers thoughtful, practical support for young people and families navigating challenges linked to anxiety and school attendance. We understand that emotional wellbeing and education are closely connected. When a young person is struggling, it can affect not only their learning but their confidence, relationships and sense of identity.

Our approach is compassionate, collaborative and grounded in psychological understanding. We work alongside young people, parents and schools to make sense of what is happening and to develop clear, realistic steps forward.

Increasingly, young people are finding it difficult to engage consistently with education. Emotionally Based School Avoidance, often referred to as EBSA, is a complex issue. It is rarely about defiance or lack of motivation. More often, it reflects underlying emotional distress such as anxiety, social pressures, learning challenges or unmet needs.

When a young person feels unable to attend school, it can quickly become a cycle that is hard to break. Early understanding and careful analysis are key to creating meaningful change.

Our EBSA assessment provides:

• Collection of views from the young person
• Parent or carer perspectives
• Input from school staff
• Psychological analysis of contributing factors
• Practical and realistic intervention recommendations
• A clear, written summary report

The aim is not simply to increase attendance, but to understand the emotional barriers and build a plan that supports sustainable re-engagement. Whether a young person is already out of school or beginning to show signs of distress linked to attendance, it is never too early or too late to seek support.